Smith Partnership, one of the largest firms of solicitors in the Midlands, is delighted to have been recognised again as “one of the leading firms in the East Midlands” with a reputation for “exceptional service” in this year’s Legal 500 report, the annual guide to UK law firms. Smith Partnership have achieved their best results in the 2018/19 Legal 500, earning recognition across the East Midlands within every category entered.

Celebrating another successful year, the law firm has been moving up the rankings in the Legal 500 report year on year and is very excited to have recorded its best year ever, maintaining its position offering one of the only Family and Crime legal services team in Derby with Legal 500 ‘Top Tier’ status.

It is also clear from the report that the focus it places on customer service has remained central to the way it works today, as it has since it was established over 30 years ago!

Smith Partnership has always prided itself in delivering excellent service and building long lasting relationships with its clients, with the Legal 500 reflecting this belief with a commendation of having a stand-out reputation for openness, friendliness and no-nonsense straight-talking, being quoted as “nothing short of excellent and brilliant at delivering a great quality service”.

The Legal 500 is an annual guide to all law firms in the UK, aimed at buyers of legal services, to see who is leading the way in the profession, naming both practises and individuals. Law firms are invited to submit their details each year, with expert researchers interviewing lawyers and clients to grade each firm.

Russell Davies, Partner at Smith Partnership said: “Our performance this year has exceeded all our expectations again and we are so pleased for our teams of professionals, who work so hard every day for our clients, across all areas of private and commercial law. The Legal 500 noted Smith Partnership for its ‘exceptional service’, the ‘professional’ team at Smith Partnership is ‘attentive to a client’s needs’.

“A special mention should be given to those in the firm recognised as Leading Individuals, Muctar Johal has retained his Leading Individual status – quoted as “highly respected in the field of child protection”. Andrew Oldroyd, head of the Crime Department has been recognised with Leading Individual status for the first time and described as “master of the criminal courts”.

“The Legal 500 gives us a benchmark of where we are as a law firm and this year's rankings shows we are continuing to compete strongly, in a very competitive market.

“To retain being one of the only Family and Crime legal services team in Derby with Legal 500 ‘Top Tier’ status is an amazing achievement and I want to thank both teams for this great performance. The Legal 500 quote our Family team as being “very experienced” and the Crime team are quoted as having “a dedicated and hard-working team of extremely knowledgeable criminal practitioners”.

“I also want to thank the Business Development team for actioning our brand awareness strategy over the years, with massive strides achieved in social media, regional print media presence and strengthening partnerships. For example, the team has continued to develop the relationship with Marketing Derby, becoming the first Official Partner of Marketing Derby - being at the forefront at all their events across the UK, to promote the City and the East Midlands.”

Smith Partnership offers a full range of legal services to help clients manage the most important events in their lives; with sensible planning to ensure peace of mind and legal protection.

Smith Partnership has a network of offices throughout the Midlands in Derby, Leicester, Stoke-on-Trent, Burton-on-Trent and Swadlincote.